Australia's tourist authorities maintain that it is safe for British
travellers to visit Victoria despite the bush fires that have ravaged the
region.

Australia's tourist authorities are urging British travellers to continue visiting Victoria despite the devastating bush fires which have killed more than 180 people.

Tourism Australia said that although the fires have swept across more than 1,200 square miles, destroying more than 900 homes, most of the state's natural attractions remain unaffected.

"The majority of Victoria's popular tourist regions, including the city of Melbourne, the Great Ocean Road, Mornington Peninsula and Phillip Island, remain unaffected," said a spokesman. "We are liaising with our travel industry partners to keep them and their clients updated on the situation."

The spokesman added that Victoria's main wine regions were also unaffected, including the Pyrenees, the Murray, Grampians and Mornington and Bellarine peninsulas.

Instead, the fires were concentrated in the Yarra Valley area and High Country regions. Marysville, a 19th-century gold-mining town and Kinglake, a popular tourist stop in the Great Dividing Range mountains, are among the towns that have been destroyed.

The Statewide Wildlife Rescue Emergency Service in Victoria said its crews, and other local animal rescue services, have been working around the clock to rescue local wildlife. The Healesville animal sanctuary close its doors today and evacuated many of its animals after the fires moved closer to the town.

Melbourne airport is open and operating as normal. Driving around the state is possible but road closures are in place to keep visitors away from the affected areas and to give fire services better access to the affected areas.

The Foreign Office warned that fires are still being fought across Victoria, South Australia and New South Wales. British package holidays remain largely inaffected. Some self-drive itineraries through Victories are being re-routed elsewhere. But those due to travel in the coming weeks are being advised to contact their tour operator.

However, the fires come at time when Australia's tourism businesses are struggling. A survey by Australia's Tourism and Transport Forum last week found that almost two-thirds of Australia's tourism businesses are likely to shed jobs as they cut back to survive the global economic downturn.

The number of annual visitors to Australia is forecast to fall from 5.56 million in 2008 to 5.33 million in 2009

If you are worried about family and friends in Victoria, the Foreign Office has set up a helpline: +61 3 93283716 (from UK) or 1 800 727 077 (from Australia).